The Low Carbon Economy Ltd

NHS Wales announces carbon reduction plan

As one of the largest public sector organisations in the UK, the NHS contributes a significant amount to the country's carbon footprint.

The NHS in Wales has now announced that it is undertaking a "major exercise" to reduce its impact on the environment, and it is hoped subsequently its costs.

Health Minister Edwina Hart announced far ranging measures to bring the existing services and infrastructure up to scratch and create a more sustainable plan for new projects.

Biomass heating systems will be installed to meet higher environmental standards and new combined heat and power systems will be fitted in two existing major hospitals, including the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Water use will also be reduced and recycling increased, as well as programmes put in place to encourage car sharing, walking and the use of public transport among support staff, patients and visitors.

The Department of Health in England was required to identify a similar plan last year, as part of the wider government climate change plan, in which it identified that the NHS alone spends £650 million each year on energy.

Looking at the state of the economy and the UK's carbon footprint, should more pressure be put on the NHS in England to cut its emissions?

Discussion Thread

i thought the nhs was the largest public body in europe with 3m employees. i believe if they could slash their energy consumtion by 10% in 12 months like the government has promised central government will do, that would help with the deficit. and would probrably have a short investment payback time leading to profit. god knows that all government departments need to slash costs and i believe it's better to slash energy costs than labour costs.